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Paragraphs and discourse markers: GCSE English Language questions with answers

25 questions on paragraphs and discourse markers. Pick your answer, then tap to see if you were right and why. Every question comes from the Show Working English Language bank.

Paragraphs and discourse markers hold a piece of writing together. Clear organisation is rewarded on every board, so these questions cover when to start a new paragraph, topic sentences, and the linking words that move an argument on.

Quiz yourself: 25 questions

01 / Quiz yourselfTry it, then tap to check

Paragraphs and discourse markers questions to try

Choose your answer before you open it. Then read why, so it sticks.

01 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Which of these discourse markers shows contrast?

  1. AFurthermore
  2. BFirstly
  3. CTherefore
  4. DHowever
Show the answer

Answer: D However

“However” signals a turn to a different or opposite idea. Others that show contrast are “on the other hand”, “whereas” and “nevertheless”.

02 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Which connective adds another point in the same direction?

  1. AWhereas
  2. BNevertheless
  3. CConsequently
  4. DMoreover
Show the answer

Answer: D Moreover

“Moreover” adds a further point that supports the last one. “In addition”, “furthermore” and “also” do the same job.

03 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Which connective shows a result or consequence?

  1. AAlthough
  2. BSimilarly
  3. CConsequently
  4. DIn addition
Show the answer

Answer: C Consequently

“Consequently” tells the reader that what follows happens because of what came before. “Therefore”, “as a result” and “so” show cause and effect too.

04 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Which phrase introduces an example?

  1. AFor instance
  2. BFinally
  3. CIn contrast
  4. DAs a result
Show the answer

Answer: A For instance

“For instance” (like “for example” and “such as”) tells the reader that evidence is coming to back up the point just made.

05 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Which connective shows that two ideas are alike?

  1. AWhereas
  2. BSimilarly
  3. CInstead
  4. DOtherwise
Show the answer

Answer: B Similarly

“Similarly” (or “likewise”, “in the same way”) shows that the next idea matches the last one. It is useful when comparing two texts or two reasons.

06 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Which discourse marker would best begin the final paragraph of an argument?

  1. AFor example
  2. BIn conclusion
  3. CFirstly
  4. DMeanwhile
Show the answer

Answer: B In conclusion

“In conclusion” (or “to sum up”, “ultimately”) tells the reader you are drawing your argument together. It signals that your final, strongest message is coming.

07 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Which word shows the order of events in a story?

  1. AAfterwards
  2. BMoreover
  3. CTherefore
  4. DHowever
Show the answer

Answer: A Afterwards

Time connectives such as “afterwards”, “later”, “meanwhile” and “by nightfall” move a story through time and help the reader follow what happens when.

08 / Paragraphs and discourse markersOur own example

Many people say homework helps pupils learn. ___, too much of it can leave them exhausted.

Which discourse marker fits the gap best?

  1. AFor example
  2. BFurthermore
  3. CTherefore
  4. DHowever
Show the answer

Answer: D However

The second sentence argues against the first, so it needs a contrast marker. “However” turns the argument round; “therefore” or “furthermore” would suggest the two ideas agree.

09 / Paragraphs and discourse markersOur own example

The park has become dirty and unsafe. ___, the council plans to close it.

Which discourse marker fits the gap best?

  1. AFor instance
  2. BIn contrast
  3. CAs a result
  4. DHowever
Show the answer

Answer: C As a result

The council’s plan happens because the park is dirty and unsafe, so the gap needs a cause and effect marker such as “as a result” or “therefore”.

10 / Paragraphs and discourse markersOur own example

The beach was empty and silent. ___, the town centre was packed with shoppers.

Which discourse marker fits the gap best?

  1. AFor example
  2. BIn addition
  3. CIn contrast
  4. DAs a result
Show the answer

Answer: C In contrast

An empty beach and a packed town are opposites, so the gap needs a contrast marker. “In contrast” makes the difference clear to the reader.

11 / Paragraphs and discourse markersOur own example

Firstly, plastic harms sea life. ___, it takes hundreds of years to break down.

Which discourse marker fits the gap best?

  1. ANevertheless
  2. BFurthermore
  3. CIn contrast
  4. DHowever
Show the answer

Answer: B Furthermore

The second sentence adds another reason on the same side, so it needs an addition marker. A contrast word would wrongly suggest the writer was changing direction.

12 / Paragraphs and discourse markersOur own example

Some argue that zoos protect rare animals. ___, many zoo animals live in cramped, unnatural spaces.

Which discourse marker fits the gap best?

  1. AFor instance
  2. BNevertheless
  3. CConsequently
  4. DFurthermore
Show the answer

Answer: B Nevertheless

The writer admits the other side’s point, then pushes back against it. “Nevertheless” (like “even so” or “however”) shows that turn.

13 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Which word fits best: “The match was cancelled ___ the pitch was flooded.”?

  1. Aalthough
  2. Bbecause
  3. Cwhereas
  4. Dunless
Show the answer

Answer: B because

The flooded pitch is the reason for the cancellation, so the sentence needs a word that shows cause: “because”.

14 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

In a story, which of these is a good reason to start a new paragraph?

  1. AYou want to use a long word
  2. BYou have just used a comma
  3. CA sentence has more than ten words
  4. DThe story moves to a new time or place
Show the answer

Answer: D The story moves to a new time or place

Start a new paragraph for a new time, place, topic or person (some remember it as TiPToP). In dialogue, also start a new line each time the speaker changes.

15 / Paragraphs and discourse markersOur own example

(1) Sam waited at the bus stop as the rain grew heavier. (2) The bus was late again. (3) Three hours later, she was standing on a beach in Cornwall. (4) The sun was warm on her face.

Where should a new paragraph start?

  1. ANowhere: it is all one paragraph
  2. BAt sentence 2
  3. CAt sentence 3
  4. DAt sentence 4
Show the answer

Answer: C At sentence 3

Sentence 3 jumps to a new time (“Three hours later”) and a new place (a beach in Cornwall), so it should start a new paragraph. Sentence 4 stays on the beach, so it belongs with sentence 3.

16 / Paragraphs and discourse markersOur own example

(1) The library was silent apart from the hum of the lights. (2) Maya turned another page. (3) Suddenly, the doors burst open and a stranger in a soaking coat strode in. (4) Every head turned towards him.

Where should a new paragraph start?

  1. ANowhere: it is all one paragraph
  2. BAt sentence 2
  3. CAt sentence 3
  4. DAt sentence 4
Show the answer

Answer: C At sentence 3

Sentence 3 brings in a new person and a sudden event, so it needs a new paragraph. The break also gives the stranger’s arrival more impact.

17 / Paragraphs and discourse markersOur own example

(1) School should start at ten o’clock. (2) Teenagers’ body clocks make early mornings hard. (3) Another benefit is safer journeys. (4) Fewer pupils would travel in the dark on winter mornings.

Where should a new paragraph start?

  1. ANowhere: it is all one paragraph
  2. BAt sentence 2
  3. CAt sentence 3
  4. DAt sentence 4
Show the answer

Answer: C At sentence 3

Sentence 3 starts a new reason (safer journeys), so it should begin a new paragraph. Sentence 4 explains that reason, so it stays with sentence 3.

18 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

What is a topic sentence?

  1. AThe last sentence of a whole essay
  2. BAny sentence with a quotation in it
  3. CA sentence that asks the reader a question
  4. DA sentence that tells the reader what a paragraph is about
Show the answer

Answer: D A sentence that tells the reader what a paragraph is about

A topic sentence opens a paragraph and states its main point. The sentences that follow give evidence and explanation, so the reader always knows where the paragraph is going.

19 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Which is the best topic sentence for a paragraph about the cost of school trips?

  1. ASchool trips now cost too much for many families.
  2. BSome trips are good and some are not.
  3. CTrips are things that schools sometimes do.
  4. DI went to France on a school trip once.
Show the answer

Answer: A School trips now cost too much for many families.

A good topic sentence states a clear point that the rest of the paragraph can prove. The others are a personal story, an empty statement and a vague opinion.

20 / Paragraphs and discourse markersOur own example

Mrs Patel opened the shop at six. She always arrived before anyone else.

Which word links the second sentence back to the first?

  1. Aarrived
  2. BShe
  3. Calways
  4. Danyone
Show the answer

Answer: B She

“She” refers back to Mrs Patel. Pronouns that point back to someone or something already named are one of the simplest ways to make writing cohesive.

21 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

What does cohesion mean in a piece of writing?

  1. AEvery sentence is the same length
  2. BThe writer uses very long words
  3. CEach paragraph is about something unrelated
  4. DIts ideas link clearly from one part to the next
Show the answer

Answer: D Its ideas link clearly from one part to the next

Cohesive writing holds together: discourse markers, pronouns, repeated key words and clear paragraphs guide the reader from one idea to the next.

22 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

A pupil writes a two-page argument as one long paragraph. What is the main problem?

  1. AThe reader cannot see where each new point begins
  2. BIt will be far too short
  3. CIt has too many full stops
  4. DIt uses too many capital letters
Show the answer

Answer: A The reader cannot see where each new point begins

Paragraphs show the reader where one point ends and the next begins. Without them, even good ideas become hard to follow, and the writing marks for organisation suffer.

23 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Put the opening sentences of these paragraphs in the clearest order for an argument.

  1. ASecondly, they can be used for online bullying.
  2. BShould mobile phones be banned in schools? I believe they should.
  3. CIn conclusion, a ban would make schools calmer and safer.
  4. DFirstly, phones distract pupils during lessons.
Show the answer

The right order:

  1. Should mobile phones be banned in schools? I believe they should.
  2. Firstly, phones distract pupils during lessons.
  3. Secondly, they can be used for online bullying.
  4. In conclusion, a ban would make schools calmer and safer.

An argument opens by stating the writer’s view, takes its reasons in turn and ends by summing up. The discourse markers “Firstly”, “Secondly” and “In conclusion” signpost that order.

24 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Put the opening sentences of these paragraphs in the clearest order for a story.

  1. ABy midday, the clouds had turned black.
  2. BThat afternoon, the river burst its banks.
  3. CLate that night, the water at last began to fall.
  4. DEarly that morning, the village was still asleep.
Show the answer

The right order:

  1. Early that morning, the village was still asleep.
  2. By midday, the clouds had turned black.
  3. That afternoon, the river burst its banks.
  4. Late that night, the water at last began to fall.

The time markers (“Early that morning”, “By midday”, “That afternoon”, “Late that night”) put the paragraphs in order through a single day, so the reader can follow the story easily.

25 / Paragraphs and discourse markers

Put the parts of this paragraph in the clearest order.

  1. AAs a result, parents are not pushed to buy expensive brands.
  2. BUniform saves families money.
  3. CFor example, a few plain shirts cost less than a wardrobe of fashionable clothes.
Show the answer

The right order:

  1. Uniform saves families money.
  2. For example, a few plain shirts cost less than a wardrobe of fashionable clothes.
  3. As a result, parents are not pushed to buy expensive brands.

A clear paragraph states its point, gives an example to back it up, then explains what follows from it. The markers “For example” and “As a result” show the order.

02 / Where marks slipOne thing to watch

A common slip

Starting every paragraph with “Firstly”, “Secondly” and “Finally”. Vary the links, and make each one show how the ideas connect.

More writing topics

Writing to persuade and informDescriptive and narrative writingForms, purposes and audiencesAll of GCSE English Language

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